SFA chief executive Gordon Smith to push for video replays

Published on Thursday 26 November 2009 14:08

FOOTBALL rulemakers are set to be presented with a new bid to bring video replays into the game in the wake of the Thierry Henry handball controversy.

Gordon Smith, the Scottish FA chief executive, is considering a fresh attempt to persuade the International FA Board (IFAB) to at least try an experiment with video replays.

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The IFAB is made up of the four home associations, who each have a vote, and FIFA who have four votes. The next meeting is in March where Smith may bring a proposal under 'any other business'.

Under his plan, each manager will be allowed two challenges per match and the referee may also ask the fourth official to consult a video replay at any time.

Smith told Press Association Sport: "The agenda has been finalised for March but I may put it forward under 'any other business'.

"I would put forward a system where two challenges are allowed per game per technical area.

"I don't think referees will be undermined at all, it will mean we get the right decision in matches which are incredibly important to a whole country.

"If the Irish had called for TV pictures – and the game had stopped anyway – the goal would have been disallowed and they could be going to the World Cup next summer instead of France. That's how vital it is to get these decisions right."

Smith concedes his hopes of an immediate breakthrough are slim and FIFA may instead try to use the IFAB meeting to fast-track UEFA president Michel Platini's favoured system of having an extra assistant referee behind each goal-line so it can be used in the World Cup next summer.

Smith's view is that if people keep knocking on the door, then one day it will open.

Whatever FIFA put forward, they can expect support from England who will not want to rock the boat in the year of their 2018 World Cup bid.